The CSS Neuse and Me

The CSS Neuse is the only remaining commissioned Confederate ironclad above the water.  It was part of a new Confederate technology to combat the superior manpower and  firepower of the Union Navy.  Learn about the technological advances and warfare in eastern North Carolina at the CSS Neuse Interpretive Center.

The Confederate Navy launched the Neuse in an attempt to gain control of the lower Neuse River and New Bern, North Carolina.  But, ultimately, they had to destroy the ship to prevent it from being captured in the remaining days of the war.

I got to see them recovering the hull of the Neuse from where it was sunk in Kinston, North Carolina, back when I was 12 in 1963.  My grandfather took my brother and me to the site.  I was already a big Civil War buff at the time and this just made me more so.

I visited the hull of the Neuse on several occasions while it was housed under the covered site by the river and also once in its new home in the building which was much-needed as it was breaking apart out in the elements.

Of course, as they were trying to get it off the Neuse River bottom, they had an earthen dam built around it.  All it looked like was a bunch of wood in a hull shape.  It was too bad that the casemate wasn't still there as well.  But, it was a real piece of history to me.

So, the Neuse and I Go Way Back.  --Old B-Runner

CSS Neuse Opening Preview Party This Friday

CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center to hold exclusive  exhibit opening on March 11, 2022, this Friday.  This will be the final phase of its permanent exhibits entitled "The Civil War in Eastern North Carolina."  They will showcase a variety  of aspects of the Civil War including causes, battles, personalities,, involvement of women and Blacks.

To help kick this off, the CSS Neuse Gunboat Association will host an exclusive exhibit opening preview on the evening of March 11 from 6 p.m. to  10 p.m.  Tickets for the event are $50 a person and include a catered dinner, musical entertainment and one free alcoholic beverage pre person.  (Hopefully from King's BBQ.)

Tickets may be purchased at either the  CSS Neuse Interpretive Center or through a special link  posted on the site's Facebook page.

In addition to the above activities,  the evening will include a raffle drawing and a silent auction.  The raffle prize is a 14-foot skiff that has been  hand-crafted using 19th century tools and construction techniques.  Tickets for the raffle are $10 each or 3 for $25.

Only 100 tickets to the event are available so don't delay getting yours.

--Old B-Neuse

Some More Eastern North Carolina Civil War Sites

The last three posts were restricted to just ten sites and did an excellent job of featuring them, but there are more sites, including:

Port O' Plymouth in Plymouth.

Fort Branch  on the Roanoke River near Hamilton.

The CSS Neuse Center and CSS Neuse II in Kinston.

The Battle of Goldsboro Bridge in Goldsboro.

The Battle of White Hall (Seven Springs) in Wayne County.

--Old B-Runner

'Heirlooms, Antiques, and Militaria' program at CSS Neuse

From the Neuse News, Kinston, North Carolina.

Well, its too late now, but glad to see the CSS Neuse doing things to keep in the public eye and increase attendance.

This past Saturday, August 28, from 10 am to 4 pm you can learn about those old things grandpa and grandma left you at the CSS Neuse Interpretive Center in Kinston.

This will be handled by the site's  staff members and friends who have a variety of historical interests.  they are well-versed in firearms from the 18thcenturythrough World War II.

They even say that is they don't know what it is, they will check their reference works and online resources.  They can also give you tips on how to best restore and preserve the items.  In addition, they are always looking for items from Eastern North Carolina during the war.

The CSS Neuse is the only remaining  commissioned Confederate ironclad above water.  It was part of a new technology that the Confederacy used to combat the superior manpower and firepower of the Union Navy.

The shop's hull remains.

The CSS Neuse Center is a part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

--Old B-Runner

March 13, 1865: Kinston Occupied and CSS Neuse Destroyed

MARCH 13TH, 1865:  Confederate General Joseph Johnston had been recalled to duty and sent to North Carolina in a desperate attempt to oppose Sherman's troops.  The Confederate troops withdrawn from Kinston were part of his consolidation of divided armies and detachments, including the troops from Wilmington.

His hope was that he would be able to assemble a force with some chance of success.  This withdrawal from Kinston, however, left a vacuum which was promptly filled by the Federal forces.

They occupied Kinston on the 14th and the CSS Neuse was  destroyed to prevent capture.

--Old B-Runner

March 13, 1865: Operations in the Neuse River

MARCH 13TH, 1865:  Commander Rhind, Senior Naval Officer at New Bern, North Carolina, reported to Commander Macomb, commanding in the North Carolina Sounds, that the expedition up the Neuse River had returned the previous evening.  "A deserter from a North Carolina regiment came on board the [Army steamer] Ella May yesterday morning.  He states that the whole rebel force under Bragg (estimated by him at 40,000) have evacuated Kinston, moving toward Goldsboro, but Hoke's division returned when he left.

"The ironclad [Neuse] is afloat and ready for service; has two guns, draws nine feet.  No pontoon was found in the Neuse.

"If you can loan me a torpedo launch at once he may have an opportunity of destroying the ironclad (ala CSS Albemarle).  The bridge (railroad) at Kinston has been destroyed by the enemy."

Hey, That's Cushing's Job.  --Old B-Runner

Kinston's CSS Neuse Museum to Host a Scouts Night

From the June 14, 2018, WNCT, Channel 9, (Greenville, N.C.)  "Kinston's CSS Neuse museum to hold special night just for scouts" by Nicole Neuman.

On June 23 the museum will host "Scout Night at the Museum."  This will be open to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and is inspired by the popular movies "Night At the Museum."

Check-in will be 5:45 to 6:15 at the museum at North Queen Street then they will go over to the nearby CSS Neuse II replica on Heritage Street.  Dinner will be on the boat and then a tour will be given.

Then, the group will go back to the museum for activities.

Great idea To get Young Folks Interested In the Civil War.  --Old B-R'er

Get Photographed at the CSS Neuse

From the July 13, 2018, News 12 ABC North Carolina  "CSS Neuse Center to show Civil War photographs this weekend."

The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center in Kinston, N.C. will have a display of Civil War tintypes and photographs, plus the opportunity of having yours taken in a period setting. by Harry taylor.

The Civil War was the first conflict to be extensively photographed and there is a temporary exhibit that opened July 14.

The CSS Neuse is the only remaining commissioned Confederate ironclad above water.

--Old B-R'er

Fort Anderson, N.C.-- Part 2: Fear of the CSS Neuse and Readiness to Fight

A newspaper article dated February 28, 1863, had this to say about Fort Anderson:

"Fort Anderson is in excellent trim for fighting, if attacked by a land force; and it is occupied by troops not likely to give it up before it becomes actually necessary.

"If the ram the enemy now has nearly ready (CSS Neuse) above Kinston should succeed in making its passage down the Neuse (River) it might alter circumstances materially.  There is much hope that the machine will not be able to navigate the Neuse above here, for the channel is narrow, and in many places shallow.

"Vessels have been sunk to obstruct the passage about one mile above us; but that will not place us out of range.  Our rifle gun, however, would enable us to return compliments.

--Old B-R'er

Action in North Carolina, December 1862-- Part 2: Foster's Raid

Foster's Raid went from December 11-20, 1863 from New Bern and eventually as far as Goldsboro, North Carolina.

11-  Skirmish at Kinston Road

11-12--  Skirmish at Kinston Road

12-15--  Operations on the Neuse River

13-14--  Actions at Southwest Creek

14--  Engagement at Kinston, N.C.

15.  Action at Whitehall Bridge  (Ram CSS Neuse in the process of being built comes under attack)

16.  Action at Whitehall

16--  Affairs at Mt. Olive and Goshon Creek

17--  Raid on Dudley's Station

17--  Skirmish at Goldsboro Bridge

17.  Reconnaissance to Diascund Bridge

After this, Foster's Raid was over and his force returned to New Bern.

27--  Action at Elizabeth City

31--  Loss of the USS Monitor off Cape Hatteras

--Old B-R'er

Meanwhile, At the Real CSS Neuse

Also taking place on Saturday, October 21, 2017, in Kinston, the CSS Neuse Interpretive Center is honoring the anniversary of the Confederate States Navy Department awarding the contract for the Neuse's construction to Howard and Ellis of New Bern for the construction of the ship.

The contract was signed October 17, 1862.

The Interpretive Center (where the actual hull of the CSS Neuse is located) has designated October 21 as "Shipbuilding Saturday" and admission to enter the center is free.

Paul Fontenoy will discuss shipbuilding techniques of the 19th century and Danny Nye will demonstrate how ship hulls were caulked.

Old B-R'er

Breakfast On the Boat: CSS Neuse II

From the Kinston (NC) Free Press  ":Breakfast on the boat will kick off fun-filled Saturday"  by Mike Parker.

In a cooperative effort between Mother Earth Brewing and the CSS Neuse II Foundation, a breakfast will be held on the full-size replica of the CSS Neuse on Saturday, October 21.

For $7 you get scrambled eggs, bacon, link sausage, grits, biscuits and drink.

It is one of the fundraisers for the CSS Neuse II Foundation to help pay for the insurance, costs, utilities and upkeep on the full-size replica, the only one of a Confederate ironclad in the United States.

The Neuse was the sister ship of the more famous CSS Albemarle.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Series Continues: Elmira Prison Camp and the CSS Neuse

From the Powderkeg Magazine of the Friends of Fort Fisher.

A great way to get out of the heat and learn something at the same time.  These presentations are held at the E. Gehroig Spencer Theater at the Fort Fisher Visitors Center at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

They begin on Saturdays at 2 p.m..

JULY 8 TOPIC

Elmira Prisoner of War Camp:  The North's Answer to Andersonville

The speaker will be Richard Triebe, historian and author who has written a book about the prison.

The majority of the enlisted Confederate captured at Fort Fisher were brought here and an alarming number of them died in a few months of imprisonment.

JULY 15 TOPIC

The Final Days of the CSS Neuse - and Beyond.  The speaker will be Andrew Duppstadt of the North Carolina State Historic Sites.

This was the sister ship of the CSS Albemarle.

Again, I Sure Wish I Could Be There For These, But 1200 Miles Is JUST Too Far.  --Old B-Runner

Kinston's CSS Neuse Interpretive Center-- Part 6: Ran Aground Before First Action

By April 22, 1864, now with four additional gunports more than the CSS Albemarle with ten, was ordered into action at New Bern.  But, a half mile downriver, low water grounded the vessel on a sandbar.

Attempts were made to refloat the ship, but it wasn't until mid-May with rising water, that the Neuse was freed and returned to Kinston.

In February 1865, Sherman and his troops entered North Carolina and the Neuse went back into action, but not for long.

The CSS Neuse Interpretive Center is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..  The last guided tour is at 4 p.m..  admission is $5 for adults and $5 for seniors.

I visited it several years ago, shortly after they moved into their new place and look forward to going back to it this summer.

--Old B-R'er

Kinston's CSS Neuse Interpretive Center-- Part 5: Sister Ship of the CSS Albemarle

The forerunner of the CSS Neuse was the CSS Virginia.  Her sister ship was the CSS Albemarle which was also built in a cornfield along and inland river, like the Neuse.  The Albemarle was built on the Roanoke River and both had the same plan of construction.

However, the CSS Virginia and CSS Albemarle both saw a lot more action than the Neuse.

On December 16, 1862, the Union army attacked the Neuse while it was under construction and thought they had destroyed it.  But, by mid-March, the finished hull of the ship was floated down the Neuse River to Kinston where work was completed.  But delays compounded because of lack of competent shipbuilders and iron plating.

--Old B-Runner

Kinston's CSS Neuse Interpretive Center-- Part 4: Much On Display

There is also a 12-foot Brooke Rifle cannon replica built to scale.  These were the cannons on the Neuse.  It  has a functioning carriage, there is a barracks used by troops garrisoned in Kinston and a reconstruction of part of the ironclad's deck.

Display cases and wall plaques offer stories of the crew, including its captain, Joseph Price and 2nd Lt. Richard Bacot who wrote the earlier account of the ship's final minutes as a Confederate warship.

Photos recount the herculean efforts to free the hull from the Neuse River mud and the lengthy process requiring archaeologists, historians, volunteers and state assistance to accomplish it.

--Old B-R'er

Kinston's CSS Neuse Interpretive Center-- Part 3: A Bottle of Worcestershire Sauce

The hull and ghost skeleton can be viewed from ground level and upstairs.  There is also a full-size cut-out model of the ship and a video presentation.

Nearby the center is a full-size replica outside on Heritage Street.

They have artifacts salvaged from the ship after it was brought up on display like coal rakes used on the boiler, cannon balls, shells, a belt buckle, wrenches, files, shovels, sockets, a stove, ship's bell and an intach bottle of Lea and Perrin's worcestershire sauce.  In addition, there is a rare English-made cuff button from an officer's coat and another with a CSN emblem.

--Old B-Runner

Kinston's CSS Neuse Interpretive Center-- Part 2: Ghost Skeleton

After the war, machinery, iron plating and weapons were removed and the hull remained at the bottom of the river until it was brought up in 1963 for the Centennial of the Civil War.

Then, it spent many years sitting outside under an open roof battling floods and deterioration.  Its remains now are the centerpiece of the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center in downtown Kinston at 100 North Queen Street.

The Center was dedicated in 2005 and is operated by North Carolina Historic Sites.

That hull takes up 31,000 square feet in an open two-story portion of the 40,000 square-feet building.  A 158-foot long, 34-foot wide metal skeleton has been built above the hull to show the vessel's outline to give visitors an idea of the ship's size and scope.  (Many think of it as just a mass of wood.)

--Old B-Runner

Kinston's CSS Neuse Interpretive Center-- Part 1: "We Removed Our Powder & Stores & Burnt the Vessel"

From the May 19, 2016, Examiner "Kinston Discoveries 2016:  CSS Neuse Interpretive Center recounts ironclad's fate" by Kathy Newbern and J.S. Fletcher.

The CSS Neuse Interpretive Center is located at 100 N. Queen Street in downtown Kinston, North Carolina.

What is left of the wreck of the CSS Neuse is now housed in the center after being under water for almost 100 years and then out in the open air for over another 50 years.

A young officer aboard the CSS Neuse wrote of the ship's tragic end:  All the troops had withdrawn from Kinston & the Yankees 18,000 strong came upon us & not having any prospect of being relieved before our provisions ran out & being in a narrow river where we could not work the ship under fire, after shelling the Yankee cavalry for a little while, we removed our powder & stores & burnt the vessel."

--Old B-Runner

The 3/8 Scale CSS Albemarle

The State of North Carolina is home to two recreated models of Confederate ironclads, sister ships CSS Albemarle and CSS Neuse II.  The Neuse is a full-sized model but on land.

The replica CSS Albemarle is a 3/8 scale, 63-foot ship that is able to move under its own power and is anchored at Port O' Plymouth Museum in Plymouth.  (The Neuse is at Kinston along with the remains of the hull of the original.)

The new Albemarle was built in 2002 and is self-powered.

Each year it is taken out during the Living History Weekend held the last weekend in every April.

--Old B-IronRunner